996 Recommendations

Although a big fan of the oil-cooled versions (I just sold my '76 targa), I'm looking for an early 996 since they have the greatest no. of safety features (air bags) and a little more room in the rear jump seats for the $. I'd love to hear how other owner's experiences have been with this model. Thanks!

I have had a 2000 996 for about a year now and I LOVE it! (I still have the '84 Carrera, btw.) It's built very well, it's a very strong and tight car (as 911's always have been), handles incredibly well, and is very quick (and fast). Heck, I've tracked the car four times at Willow Springs raceway here in SoCal and it's just run like a champ with no issues whatsoever. In fact, I've driven it over 16,000 miles in the last 11 months because it's my daily driver. It's also very comfortable for those daily commutes or long cross-country type drives (which is nice, btw). Drive as many as you can and when you find one you like, insist on an independent pre-purchase inspection done by a reputable shop that knows these cars well. Good luck to you.

I owned a 1972T and 1983SC. The air cool cars are fun, but each vehicle has its issues. Purchased a 2003 996 Cab, 6 speed. What a blast! Drove a tiptronic and it wasn't my thing. I agree, have a PPI done by your mechanic. There has been issues of the RMS leaking in these models, use the search function for more details. If you feel you need warranty, get a CPO vehicle from the dealer. It will cost you...but it could save you some coin in the end. All of the Porsche models have their issues...drive one and decide if this is the vehicle for you.

Ditto....I grabbed an '02 C4S last month....I ABSOLUTELY LOVEEEEE IT. It's my daily driver, and is super fast and handles ridiculously. I am trying to sell my '85 now...as I don't get it out too often. I drove it yesterday, and I was thinking how slow it is.....kinda sad. Anyhow, having great A/C is priceless.....

I'll put my opinion forward. I have had an '87 911 for the last three and a half years and love it. I picked up my 996 just over a month ago as a daily driver and it's an amazing car. It's very different from the earlier models and does feel more like a Grand Tourer at first, but the sports car is definitely underneath when you want it. It looks heavy, but I wouldn't call 3000lbs heavy and with 300-325 bhp you will never say it's slow. A friend of mine has owned one in England for a couple of years and describes it as "the most usable sports car in the world" which I would say sums it up nicely. I did need to change front rotors on mine, but it was super easy - probably the easiest car I've ever done the job on. If everything else is designed to be done so easily this should be a pleasure to live with. I certainly don't regret buying one. You know it makes sense!

I have a 1999 996 (May 1998 production, so it's an early model). I think these cars are amazing bargains. I've had zero trouble with mine in about 5 years/20,000 miles of ownership. This model, along with the Boxster, do mark a transition in Porsche philosophy - they went from building it as strong as they knew how to as strong as it needed to be. As an example, I do resent the switch away from a dry sump engine. On the good side, it's an amazing design (as a racer, I really appreciate how much effort they put into keeping the weight down) and the nice part of the philosophy change is that a lot of the parts are WAY cheaper than for previous models (they're made in a factory rather than by German gnomes in a hidden underground lair). Ironically, I also think that 10 years from now the early 996s will look newer than the late 996s - the headlight design makes it look like they went from the 993 to the late 996 to the early 996 (IMHO).

Thanks to all for your replies! I'm taking the advice and driving as many locally as I can to both 'feel' their differences and to see the avail. colors. Some feel more 'frisky' than others. And, problem is, I really don't like ANY of the color combos. in these early years. I usually prefer a white over a tan interior (like my Targa was) but I've heard the Savannah beige called 'orange' and some kind of candy whose name escapes me right now. It's just a little too ... Anyway, still need to see the silver/Metropol blue combo, though. I'm in the hunt though!

Have you looked at any cars with a full leather black interior? That's what I have and I really like it. It's very understated and traditional old Porsche, imo. For example, my '84 has a full leather black interior, as did my dad's late 60's 911.

I have an '03 Cab; silver with Metropol blue interior & blue top. I'm not really a style maven. Looked for silver because I thought it showed dirt less. Hadn't been looking silver & blue, but upon seeing it, thought it looked good. It does seem that the 'second edition' 996 (starting from '03) has had somewhat fewer mechanical problems. I don't think that would keep me away from a '99-'02 in good condition for a good price. I did pay the extra to get it from a dealer & have the factory extended warranty. I like this car more than my previous '96 993.

Hi guys; I just joined this forum. I am kinda in the same situation where I am looking for a late 996 or an early 997. I have a 1992 American Roadster Cab right now and I love it. But, I would like more power and may be an AWD such as a C4S... I was thinking of keeping my Roadster and buying either a new Z06 Vette or a used C4S/Turbo. I know these are totally different cars, but I am looking at all my options for a budget of around $80k max. So, your kind comments are appreciated!!!!

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Good day and welcome to the forum. I see that this is your first post and what you have done right off the bat is something called a "hijack". Someone else starts a thread looking for info and you jump in looking to take the thread somewhere else. I say this for your information only. Good luck with your car search.

I thought my post is still in the subject of info on a 996, no worries thu. I'll keep it in the subject matter and I may be starting another thread...

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I know what you mean. There is something about the linen leather in my '87 that is just 'right'. I opted for a black interior on the 996 as the common alternatives of savannah (too bright) and grey (too 'Toyota') weren't very appealing to me personally. I think the Metropol Blue would look great and I do have a thing about the terracotta on a silver car, but probably only on a silver car!